Paddling like God in the south of France

125th anniversary youth whitewater trip in France

Tour de France with our canoe youth

Under the so tempting event title „Paddling like God in France“, our Christian, with the support of the parents and keen paddlers, planned a little Tour de France for our 125th club anniversary.

Preparation started a year in advance, and instead of the usual 1 week, we were to spend 2 whole weeks experiencing nature, people and land with our kids.

Our whitewater boats neatly stowed on the trailer and the odd family of our canoe kids in tow, we set off to find the wild water.

To prepare, we first drove near Lyon, to Sault-Brénaz. There's a fantastic whitewater practice course there. Different challenges can be found there for every level of ability. So everyone can train up further skills there step by step. The best thing, though, is the campsite directly attached to it. So you can readily paddle, rest, have lunch and then paddle again as your heart desires, without much logistical effort. You can simply leave the boats lying and take a break. You can practise the roll, or run the same challenging spot 10 times in a row. An ideal place to learn and have fun.

With the skills improved there, we then continued into the wild nature of the Durance valley in the High Alps. Not far from Embrun, near the little village of Eygliers in the Hautes-Alpes, we set up camp at a campsite right by the river. Since we were to stay here a little longer, we took particular care setting up a communal area to protect us from excessive sun, wind and rain. Although we were a big group, with our large gazebos we could create a cosy space with a cooking area where we all fitted. The campsite provided us with a large fridge and more beer-tent sets. That helped a lot.

Paradise in the front row

Some of us snagged romantic spots for their sleeping tents with a direct view of the swiftly flowing Durance.

On various day stages we paddled the rivers Guil, Gyronde and of course the Durance. With different waters, gradients, scenically charming sections lined with gravel banks or variously challenging slalom courses, and the very exciting Rabioux wave, we could gather many different impressions there.

We had massive luck with the weather, and at times it got very hot. On the river, though, it was always a few degrees pleasantly cooler, and despite the neoprene clothing the temperature was quite all right.

But we weren't there only to romp around in the whitewater and measure ourselves against nature. Of course we wanted to get to know more of the land and its people. We hiked near the glaciers that feed „our“ rivers to be paddled. Unfortunately it doesn't look so good there, and we had to learn very vividly how bad the situation is becoming around the ever-shrinking ice masses that once seemed so majestic and powerful. The glaciers are receding rapidly. That's really very sad.

We visited an 18th-century fortress that to this day, with its size and well-preserved buildings, lets you overlook the Durance valley far and wide. Alongside the interesting history, we also admired the fascinating views.

To be able to take a leisurely dip in not-too-cold water without a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket for once, after the sunny fortress we visited a nearby bathing lake that offered a few fun aqua-park installations.

As wonderfully as our mentors brought all our paddlers down the river stages well and safely, we'd like to direct our special thanks to our mothers, be it with the morning coffee or our Zhana, who, despite the well-known restrictions so typical of camping, looked after us very well and healthily. She had to leave a little earlier, and we were already worried about how we'd manage the days without her.

We bade Zhana farewell with a beautifully composed song that we gave her together as a serenade.

Our team worked together very well, and although we missed Zhana, we were able to keep satisfying our by-then pampered palates.

After a long and tiring journey home, we can nonetheless all count ourselves lucky to have been able to experience such moving landscapes and natural spectacles. After all, we all returned home safe and sound in the end, without any notable injuries or losses.

Many thanks to everyone who helped with the preparation, the running and the subsequent tidying up at the club. Lovely that you were all there. We're already looking forward to our next whitewater and camping adventure with you.